Protected teller&#39;s booth



109. SAFES, BANK mum; l IUN AND RELATED DEVICES.

Jan. 3, 1933. l. L.. THOMAS 1,893,459

PROTECTED TELLERS BOOTH Fil ed June 20, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 gmm toc Jnz'L. Tfiamaa.

AND RELATED DEVICES.

Jan. 3, 1933. I. 1... THOMAS PROTECTED TELLER S BOOTH Filed June 20. 1929 AND RELATED DEVICES.

9 War Jan. 3, 1933. 1. 1. THOMAS PROTECTED TELLER S BOOTH Filed J3me 20, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwumtoz IraL. 171011146.

% Cuba/wag egg Patented Jan. 3, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IRA. L. THOMAS, OF FORT MADISON, IOWA.

PROTECTED TELLERS BOOTH Application filed June 20,

This invention relates to the protection of the cage, booth or the like of a cashier, teller or other person who handles money or other valuables, and the general aim is to provide a novel means whereby a hold-up cannot be perpetrated.

It is generally aimed to provide a novel construction wherein the different windows of the booth or the like are normally unobstructed as usual and which may instantly through the action of the teller or the like be closed by suitable protective mechanism so as to present a metallic barrier between the teller and criminal.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing the invention applied to a booth and showing the inside of the booth,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Fi re 4: is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4: of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a view similar to the upper portion of Figure 3 but showing the slats in closed position, and

Figure 7 is a View similar to the upper portion of Figure 2 but showing the guard plate raised.

Referring specifically to the drawings, a cashiers or tellers booth is shown and is to be taken as conventional since the invention may be used not only with that shown but with other booths, for instance one in which the difierent windows are at angles to each other. The booth may have a counter 10 extending rearwardly from the top of a front lower solid wall 11. Above the counter 10 and in line with the wall 11 may be a central window 12 and side windows 13, each window consisting of a frame as shown and protective metallic grating 14. The central window has a small opening at its lower central 1929. Serial No. 372,463.

portion as at 15 so that money or valuables may be exchanged between the customer on one side and a teller on the other.

According to my invention, a slot 16 is provided through the counter 10 in the rear of the window 12 and a shield plate 17 is adapted for sliding movement therethrough, being normally in a lowered position as shown in Figure 2 and supported by the lower member 18 of a rectangular guide frame fastened against the rear of the wall 11. Such guard wall 17 is adapted for upward projection to completely cover the space in the rear of the window 12 in the event of a hold-up through the action of relatively strong contractile springs 20 which may be fastened at one end to bracket 21 on the shield 17 and at their other end to the under surface of the counter 10 as at 22.

At the rear of the windows 13, shields 23 are provided in order to be closed to protect the teller in case of a hold-up, such shields 23 being normally open and adapted to be closed in the event of a hold-up. The shields 23 comprise series of slats 24 having trunnions 25 pivotally mounting them in the frames 13 and also pivoted oil center as at 26 to operating rods 27. The operating rods 27 pass freely through slots or openings 28 in the counter 10 to a position below the same where they have relatively strong contractile springs 29 fastened thereto and which springs are also fastened as at 30 to the floor 31 or adjacent structure behind the booth.

Normally the shields 17 and 23 are held open so as to expose the windows, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. To accomplish this result, conventional spring pressed latches at 32 and 33, respectively enter recesses 34 and 35 in the shield 17 and bars 27. Such latches are connected to individual branch cords 36 and 37 respectively leading from a main cord 38. The word cord is used broadly since these elements may be of any desired con struction which is flexible and for instance may be chains, metallic cables or of textile fibre. The branches 37 are guided by pulleys 39 pivoted on a bracket 40 fastened to the under surface of the counter 10 and the cable 38 is guided over a pulley 41 carried by a bracket 42 also fastened to the under surface of said counter. The lower end of cable 38 is fastened at 39 to a treadle or lever 40 which is pivoted as at 41 to a bracket or mounting 42 fastened to the floor 31. Such foot lever or treadle 40 is normally held elevated as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

In the event the teller or occupant of the booth is held up, he may immediately with a foot press the lever 40 which retracts the bolts or latches 32 and 33, thus releasing the shields 17 and 23, whereby the shield17 slides upwardly to the position of Figure? and the slats 24: close to the position of Figure 6, thus presenting a metallic or solid barrier between the teller and the criminal.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention A protective device of the class described in combination with two windows and a counter adjacent the same, an upwardly movable shield for one of the windows, said counter having a slot accommodating said movement, means below the counter urging said upward movement of the shield, a series of slats to protect the other window, a downwardly movable bar pivoted to the slats, said counter having a slot through which said bar extends,

means below the counter connected to the bar urging movement of the bar to close the slats, foot operable means below the counter, a flexible element leading therefrom, branch elements on said flexible element, and latches for said shield and for said bar operated by said branch elements, and guide pulleys on the under surface of the counter for said branch elements and said flexible element.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

IRA L. THOMAS. 

